Chapter

Installing PROKON

This explains the procedures for installing PROKON. step-by-step to help new users avoid pitfalls. The minimum and recommended system requirements are also given.

Installing PROKON

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Quick Reference
System Requirements Program Installation Precautionary measures 3 5 18

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Installing PROKON

System Requirements
The minimum system requirements and recommended specification to run the 32-bit Windows version of PROKON are: Required PC with Pentium II or higher processor running Windows 98 second edition, Windows 2000 or Windows XP 128 MB RAM, 100 MB free disk space Recommended Pentium IV or higher

256 MB RAM or more

CD-Rom drive or access to one over a network VGA adapter displaying 800x600 resolution in 256 colours Super VGA adapter displaying 1024x768 resolution in High Colour

The suite often needs to save temporary information on your hard disk. For this purpose, the Windows temporary folder, typically C:\Windows\Temp or C:\WinNT\Temp, is used. Especially when analysing large structures, a significant amount of error-free disk space may be required. Tip: To check your hard disk for errors, it is recommended that you use Scandisk, or similar program, on a regular basis.

System Requirements

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System Requirements

Program Installation
Wait for the auto-run function or browse your CDs content for the SETUP.EXE file. Run the SETUP.EXE file and the following window will appear. Welcome to PROKON Structural Analysis and Design!

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Installed folders
Before installing PROKON, we recommend you take a moment to study the folder tree that will be created during installation. The main components are: The main suite folder: This is the folder enclosing all program folders and is always called Prokon. The main program folder: The folder that contains all the executable programs and other files that make up the system. The folder has a child folder where the Dos components of the suite reside. The default data folder: This is the folder used for data storage. Directly after installation, the working folder is set to \Prokon\Data\Demo. When you start to use the suite, you will be creating new working folders where input and output data will be stored. Working folders can be created anywhere on your computer, or even on your network. User folders: Each users preferences, e.g. favourite design codes and on-screen layout of each program, are automatically stored in a dedicated folder. Note: The default data folder, \Prokon\Data\Demo, is the only data folder created during installation. Other data folders are created only when you define new working folders while using PROKON. The installation procedure is discussed in the following text. Please follow all instructions carefully to ensure error-free installation.

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Program Installation

Installing on a standalone computer

The procedure to install and activate PROKON on a stand-alone PC can be broken into two steps: 1. 2. Installing the programs to your hard disk. Activating the programs for use.

Installing the program files to your hard disk.

To copy the program files, follow the steps below: Check the PCs date and time and adjust if necessary. To adjust the date or time, double-click the clock displayed on the Task Bar. Alternatively open the Control Panel and double-click Date/Time. Insert the CD-Rom and wait for the PROKON Structural Analysis and Design Setup utility to start. If the utility does not start automatically, then run Setup.exe on the CDRom. You can read the latest Newsletter by selecting the Release Notes button. Click next to proceed. The location of the Destination Folder where the PROKON suite will reside, i.e. the main suite folder will default to C:\Prokon. Optionally use Browse to choose a parent folder. If you browse to ' C:\Program Files' , for example, the suite will be installed in ' C:\Program Files\Prokon' . The Disk Usage button will show you a summary of the available space on all your local and mapped physical drives. Use the Reset button only if you want to go back to the default settings. Click Next to proceed. Click Install to begin installation. If you want to review or change any of your installation settings, press Back. Click Cancel to exit the installation wizard at any time. Click Finish to complete the installation process.

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Activating the programs

The above installation procedure copies all necessary program files to your PC. You will, however, be unable to use the programs until you activate them. The licensing method of PROKON has changed from the pervious versions. Terminology: License (Seat): A collection of PROKON modules installed on a stand alone or network computer. A user can have more than one license installed to enable network users to access more than one PROKON package at the same time. One license can be split into two sets, i.e. collection of steel and a collection of concrete modules. Two network users can run one license of PROKON if it is split into two sets. Sets: One license of PROKON can be ordered in two different sets. In this case two users can each access one set of PROKON. It is important to note that both users will then be limited to the modules within their own set. Sets can be exchanged by selecting the relevant setting on the Settings User name menu in Calcpad. To activate the programs: After completing the above installation steps, run the PROKON for the first time. The following window will appear:

You can also find this window at the Tools menu in Calcpad under Activate programs . Various activation options are available for the user. Activate through internet: Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet. The activation program will use the following ports to access the PROKON web server: Port 80, 20 and 21. (Normal browsing and FTP ports). The local PROKON software will then communicate with the remote PROKON web server. The following information will appear in the Activate stations window:
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Number of sets: This indicates the number of sets ordered. Number available: The number of sets available for the user to activate. Number to activate: The user can specify the number

Program Installation

of sets (Set1 and Set2) to be activated. Activate through E-mail: PROKON will use the default e-mail program; such as Microsoft Outlook to generate an encrypted e-mail. The user has to enter the number of sets to activate on Set 1 or/and Set 2. Click on Send E-mail and the default e-mail program will open with a new e-mail window. It is very important to note that the user shouldn t change the contents of the e-mail. The web server at PROKON will reply within minutes (depending on the user s e-mail poll interval time) with the return code. Click on the Enter Return code' button and type in the user specific random return code. Activate by phoning PROKON: If the above mentioned methods fails or is unavailable, the user can contact the nearest PROKON dealer. Run PROKON in demo mode: This mode will allow the user to evaluate the software. All the modules will run in a restricted mode until activation. The activation window is located under the Tools menu in PROKON Calcpad.

Note: You can install PROKON on any number of PCs. Activation of the suite will however be limited to the number of available workstations. You can however at any time deactivate an active workstation to restore the set on the web server, and then activate the suite on another PC.

Deactivating an active workstation

You can at any time deactivate an active workstation, e.g. to move it to another PC: Check the PC' s date and time and adjust if necessary. Click on the tools menu in PROKON calcpad . Select deactivate programs form the Tools menu: Deactivate through internet: As discussed above, use this option only if you have an active internet connection. Select the amount of licences to deactivate from the window. The active licenses will be clearly indicated in the number available row. Click on the Ok button, and all your modules will return to demo mode.
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Deactivate through E-mail: Type in the number of licenses to deactivate. Click on Send E-mail and PROKON will generate an encrypted e-mail message with your default e-mail program. Send the message and the PROKON web server will credit you your licenses. Deactivate by phoning PROKON: If the above mentioned methods fails or is unavailable, the user can contact the nearest PROKON dealer.

Note: Deactivating does not delete any files. Instead, all program and data files are left in position to enable you to later activate the workstation again. To completely remove PROKON from a PC, use the Uninstall procedure described on page 1-17

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Activating a deactivated workstation

To reactivate a deactivated workstation: Check the PCs date and time and adjust if necessary. Run PROKON Structural analysis and design software. Click on the Tools dropdown menu, and select Activate programs. Follow the same procedure discussed on page 1-8.

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Installing on a network
PROKON can be installed on a network for simultaneous use by more than one person. The number of simultaneous users will be limited to the number of sets ordered, i.e. number of licences. The network installation procedure has three steps: 1. 2. 3. Copying the program files to the server. Activating the programs for simultaneous use. Configuring each workstation that will use PROKON.

Note: You do not need a dedicated file server to be able to install PROKON on your network. Any PC on the network, even an ordinary PC connected to a peer-to-peer network, can be identified as the server for the purpose of sharing PROKON. In the explanation of the network installation procedure that follows below, the following terminology is used: Server: The computer on to which the suite will be installed. Local PC: The computer where you are seated when you install the suite. Workstation: A computer that will access PROKON over the network. Note: To install PROKON on a server running Windows NT Server software, you may need to first log in as an administrator.

Copying the program files to the server

The network installation procedure may be performed from any of the connected network PCs, i.e. a workstation or the server itself. You may however find it easiest to perform the procedure while seated at the server itself: Check the server PCs date, time and time zone settings and adjust if necessary. To adjust the date, time or time zone, double-click the clock displayed on the Task Bar. Alternatively open the Control Panel and double-click Date/Time. Insert the CD-Rom and wait for the PROKON Setup Wizard utility to start. If the utility does not start automatically, then run Setup.exe on the CD-Rom. The location of the Destination Folder where the PROKON suite will reside, i.e. the main suite folder will default to C:\Prokon . Optionally use Browse to choose a parent folder. You are free to also browse the Network Neighbourhood for an appropriate folder. If you browse to ' \\Server\Shared Applications' , for example, the suite will be installed in ' \\Server\Shared Applications\Prokon' . The Disk Usage button will show you a summary
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of the available space on all your local and mapped physical drives. Use the Reset button only if you want to go back to the default settings. Click Next to proceed. Click Install to begin installation. If you want to review or change any of your installation settings, press Back . Click Cancel to exit the installation wizard at any time. Click Finish to complete the installation process.

Activating the programs for simultaneous use over the network

The above installation steps will have copied all the necessary files to the server. You will, however, be unable to use the programs until you activate them. To allow simultaneous use of PROKON on your network, you only need to activate the programs on the server. All connected workstations will then automatically be allowed access to the system. To activate the programs on the server: After completing the above steps and still seated at the same computer, i.e. workstation or server, run PROKON for the first time. The following window will appear:

You can also find this window at the tools menu in PROKON Calcad under Activate programs. Various activation options are available for the user. Activate through internet: Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet. The activation program will use the following ports to access the PROKON web server: Port 80, 20 and 21. (Normal browsing and FTP ports). The local PROKON software will then communicate with the remote PROKON web server. The following information will appear in the Activate stations window: Number of sets: This indicates the number of sets ordered. Number available: The number of sets available for the user to activate.
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Number to activate: The user can specify the number of sets (Set1 and Set2) to be activated. Activate through E-mail: PROKON will use the default e-mail program; such as Microsoft Outlook to generate an encrypted e-mail. The user has to enter the number of sets to activate on Set 1 or/and Set 2. Click on Send E-mail and the default e-mail program will open with a new e-mail window. It is very important to note that the user shouldn t change the contents of the e-mail. The web server at PROKON will reply within minuets (depending on the user s e-mail poll interval time) with the return code. Click on Enter Return code button and type in the user specific random return code. Activate by phoning PROKON: If the above mentioned methods fails or is unavailable, the user can contact the nearest PROKON dealer. Run PROKON in demo mode: This mode will allow the user to evaluate the software. All the modules will run in a restricted mode until activation. The activation window is located under the tools menu in PROKON calcpad.

Note: The number of simultaneous network users will be limited to the number of sets selected when you activate the suite.

Assigning network user privileges

User permissions on your server need be configured correctly to ensure error-free performance. All installed folders may have read-only access except for the following folders that require full control: User folder and sub-folders where each user' s preferences are saved. The Prolock folder contains the PROKON installation status and keeps a log of users accessing the system. The Dos folder under the main program folder, Bin, contains configuration files for the Dos modules. Read-only access is sufficient for the Bin folder itself. Data folder with sub-folders for different jobs. Refer to page 6 for more details regarding the installed folders.

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Configuring the network workstations to use PROKON

After successfully installing and activating PROKON on your server, configuring the workstations is a simple case of creating a shortcut on each station. To prevent unnecessary copy-protection errors and for the sake of accurate record keeping on your network, it is essential that the date and time of each workstation should be correct. Because Windows intelligently manages file creation times on networks across different time zone, each workstation should also be using the correct time zone setting. To check or adjust a PCs date, time and time zone settings double-click the clock displayed on the Task Bar. Alternatively open the Control Panel and double-click Date/Time. If you change the PCs time zone, you need to restart the PC to make the change take effect. To create a shortcut on a workstation: Seated at the workstation, browse the Network Neighbourhood to the main program folder on the server, e.g. \\server\prokon\bin Locate the file, Prokon32.exe within the main program folder. Single click on the file to select it. Single click the right mouse button on the file and select send to from the menu. Another menu will appear. Select Desktop (create shortcut). The icon displayed on the Desktop of the workstation will run the PROKON package. Note: For a network installation it is not necessary to install the PROKON CD on each individual workstation.

If you are using multiple sets More than one set of programs can be activated on the server using the procedure described on the previous page. On running PROKON, a user can select the set to use when setting his User name. The set selected is saved as part of the user preferences. In other words, using the example of separate steel design and concrete design sets, a steel designer needs to select the steel design set only the first time he uses PROKON.

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The next time he uses the system, he will automatically be presented with the steel design set. More details regarding the setting of a user name are in given in Chapter 2.

Deactivating a network installation

You can deactivate a network installation: Check the server PCs date and time and adjust if necessary. Click on the Tools Deactivate menu in Calcpad. Deactivate through internet: Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet. The deactivation program will use the following ports to access the PROKON web server: Port 80, 20 and 21. (Normal browsing and FTP ports). The local PROKON software will then communicate with the remote PROKON web server. The following information will appear in the deactivate stations window: Number of sets: This indicates the number of sets ordered. Number active: The number of sets available for deactivation. Number to deactivate: The user can specify the number of sets (Set1 and Set2) to be deactivated. Deactivate through E-mail: PROKON will use the default e-mail program; such as Microsoft Outlook to generate an encrypted e-mail. The user has to enter the number of sets to activate on Set 1 or/and Set 2. Click on Send E-mail and the default e-mail program will open with a new e-mail window. It is very important to note that the user shouldn t change the contents of the e-mail. The web server at PROKON will then credit your account with the relevant amount of licences. Deactivate by phoning PROKON: If the above-mentioned methods fails or is unavailable, the user can contact the nearest PROKON dealer.

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Uninstalling PROKON
To remove PROKON from a PC or network, follow the steps below: Seated at the PC where PROKON is installed or at the server in the case of a network installation: Insert the CD-Rom and wait for the Setup utility to start. If the utility does not start automatically, then run Setup.exe on the CD-Rom.

Click Remove to remove the program files. Note: Some files or folders may not be removed during the uninstall procedure. Folders containing data, for example, will not be removed automatically and will need to deleted manually. Remember to deactivate the software first as discussed on page 1-9.

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Precautionary measures
The activation status of your PROKON programs may be damaged in some instances. The following situations require the programs to be deactivated first and activated again afterwards: Moving the programs to another folder on a local or network drive. Unlike the DOS version of PROKON, you are free to move or copy data folders. Compacting the hard disk using Drivespace or similar disk compression utility. Converting the hard disk file structure to FAT32 under Windows 98. Upgrading of hardware, e.g. replacement of the hard disk. Note: Disk defragmenting utilities such as Defrag can be used safely with PROKON. To deactivate the PROKON suite, follow the procedures described on the previous pages.

The importance of dates and times

Dates are recorded as part of the suites copy protection system. To prevent unnecessary errors, it is important that all relevant computers should have the correct date and time. Windows has a built-in feature that intelligently adjusts the date and time on networks spanning across different time zones. This means that you should also ensure that all computers use the correct time zone settings. To check or adjust a PCs date, time or time zone settings, double-click the clock displayed on the Task Bar. Alternatively open the Control Panel and double-click Date/Time. If you change the PCs time zone, you need to restart the PC for the change to take effect.

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Precautionary measures